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Death by gun: Top 20 states with highest rates

Nation's gun deaths

Guns are expected to surpass car crashes for the number of American deaths caused in 2015. In 2013, there were 33,636 Americans killed by guns versus 33, 782 fatal crashes. The most recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics released in 2013 shows the number of gun deaths by state - whether it was homicide, accidental discharge, or intentional self-harm.

Which state has the fewest firearm-related deaths? With a rate of 2.6 deaths per 100,000 population, it's Hawaii. Seven of the top ten states for gun violence also had higher than the normal homicide rate nationally. Which states had the most firearm-related deaths? Keep clicking to see the top 20 states...

2) The U.S. firearm homicide rate is 20 times higher than the combined rates of 22 countries that have similar wealth and population

3) An average of seven children and teens under the age of 20 are killed by guns every day

Credit: iStockphoto

19. Georgia (TIE)

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 12.6

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

18. Indiana

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 13

Permit required only for a handgun.

Credit: iStockphoto

17. Kentucky

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 13.7

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

16. Nevada

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 13.8

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

14. Idaho (TIE)

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 14.1

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: iStockphoto

14. Arizona (TIE)

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 14.1

No permit required for purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

13. West Virginia

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 14.3

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: iStockphoto

12. Missouri

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 14.4

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: iStockphoto

11. South Carolina

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 15.2

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: Flickr/Paul Hamilton

10. Tennessee (TIE)

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 15.4

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

9. New Mexico

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 15.5

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

8. Oklahoma

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 16.5

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

6. Wyoming (TIE)

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 16.7

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

6. Montana (TIE)

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 16.7

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

5. Arkansas

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 16.8

No permit required for purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

4. Alabama

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 17.6

No permit required for purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

3. Mississippi

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 17.8

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

2. Louisiana

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 19.3

No permit required for a purchase of a firearm.

Credit: istockphoto

1. Alaska

Death by firearm per 100,000 population: 19.8

No permit required for purchase of a firearm.

In Alaska, suicide was the leading cause of gun deaths, with it being the main factor in more than 80% of all firearm deaths. John Roman, senior fellow at the Urban Institute, an economic and social policy think tank told USA Today that states with the highest rates of suicide also usually had the strongest culture of gun ownership. "There are many more suicides in places where it's easy to get a gun," he said.